Day: May 11, 2020

Last week the NFL dropped the 2020 regular-season schedule and every sportsbook released its opening odds for the first week of football.

NFL Week 1 Odds & Analysis

Thursday, Sep. 10

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs -12

Kansas City starts its repeat quest against the Houston Texans. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL. Texans’ quarterback Deshaun Watson can exploit a KC defense that lost some pieces.

Sunday, Sep. 13

Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons -0

Seattle is an NFC contender. The Atlanta Falcons improved on both sides of the football. TE Hayden Hurst should help the offense. DE Dante Fowler should help the defense.

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills -5 ½

Wait until you see Jets’ offensive lineman Mekhi Becton. He’s 6’ 7” and weighs 364 pounds. Sam Darnold has no excuses this season playing behind Mekhi. Now that Tom Brady is in Tampa the Bills feel the door is open to win the NFC East.

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions -0

After signing safety Artie Burns away from Pittsburgh, Chicago should field one of the top defenses in the NFL. With Matthew Stafford, the Lions have the better quarterback in the matchup.

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings -3

Which NFC North team takes the division? We get a clue in Week 1. Green Bay swept Minnesota last season. The Vikings had a great draft.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots -7

The Patriots start the post-Terrific Tom era against the rival Dolphins. New England’s defense accounts for the large spread. Miami hopes Tua is a quick learner. If he is, the Fins could surprise.

Philadelphia Eagles -7 at Washington Redskins

Top D.C. draft pick Chase Young had 16 ½ sacks in 15 games his senior season. If he gets to Carson Wentz, Washington has a shot. Philadelphia made the playoffs last season. This season, they want to win the NFC.

Las Vegas Raiders at Carolina Panthers -0

This is the season Mike Mayock’s and Jon Gruden’s changes should show positive effects. Carolina got a new quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater. These two appear equal. That’s why the spread is 0.

Indianapolis Colts -9 ½ at Jacksonville Jaguars

Indianapolis is a good team. The Colts have talent on both sides of the ball. Signing Philip Rivers should help the offense. Jacksonville has a new OC in Jay Gruden. The defense remains a decent unit.

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens -10

Lamar Jackson hopes his style of football is as effective in 2020 as it was in 2019. The Browns built one of the top offensive lines in the NFL. Baker Mayfield has no excuses.

L.A. Chargers -3 ½ at Cincinnati Bengals

Tyrod Taylor should start at quarterback for the Bolts. He’s a vet with a lot of weapons. Cincinnati will start top draft pick Joe Burrow. Joe is NFL ready. Don’t be surprised if he dominates the Chargers way he did the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints -4 ½

Tom Brady wants to prove he can take his game to Florida. The Saints are a Super Bowl favorite. They must prove it in Week 1 against, on paper, one of the top teams in the league.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers -9

The 49ers let a Super Bowl slip from their grasp. That should motivate them in Week 1. Now that Kyler Murray is an NFL sophomore, Arizona has high expectations for the season.

Dallas Cowboys -2 ½ at L.A. Rams

Ezekiel Elliot and the Dallas rushing attack faces one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. The Cowboys face one of the worst offensive lines in the league.

Monday, Sep. 14

Pittsburgh Steelers -3 at New York Giants

NYG surprised everyone by drafting Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas in the first round. If Thomas can protect Daniel Jones, the Giants have a shot. Steelers get back Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben should dominate a bad Giants’ defense.

Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos -2 ½

The Titans almost made it to the Super Bowl last season. Quarterback Drew Lock is the man at Denver. Lock might have success against the Titans’ defense.